Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCancerIn Women vs. MenCausesHow Do You Know if You Have Hyperplasia?DiagnosisNegative Hyperplasia TreatmentPositive Hyperplasia TreatmentRepeat TestingCoping
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Cancer
In Women vs. Men
Causes
How Do You Know if You Have Hyperplasia?
Diagnosis
Negative Hyperplasia Treatment
Positive Hyperplasia Treatment
Repeat Testing
Coping
Hyperplasia, or hypergenesis, is an umbrella term that refers to the overgrowth of cells in a healthy tissue or organ. This causes the tissues and/or organs to become thickened or enlarged. Physiologic hyperplasia is benign, while pathologic hyperplasia is a sign of certain cancers and other abnormalities.
The most common types of hyperplasia includeendometrial hyperplasia, breast hyperplasia, and prostate hyperplasia. Typically, hyperplasia is diagnosed through a biopsy and may require further monitoring.
Learn more about hyperplasia, including types, causes, treatment options, ways to cope, and more.
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Hyperplasia vs. DysplasiaHyperplasia and dysplasia are two different types of abnormal changes at the cellular level. Hyperplasia refers to an abnormal increase in the number of cells. Dysplasia refers to abnormal cells that are not cancerous.
Hyperplasia vs. Dysplasia
Hyperplasia and dysplasia are two different types of abnormal changes at the cellular level. Hyperplasia refers to an abnormal increase in the number of cells. Dysplasia refers to abnormal cells that are not cancerous.
Link Between Hyperplasia and Cancer
Hyperplasia is abnormal, but it’s not necessarily a sign of cancer. Some types of hyperplasia are benign (not cancerous). Others may develop into cancer over time.For example,benign prostate hyperplasiais never cancerous.Endometrial and breast hyperplasia may or may not increase your cancer risk.
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Hyperplasia Types in Women and Men
Below are three of the most common types of hyperplasia among men and women:
Causes: Why Does Hyperplasia Happen?
The causes of hyperplasia vary widely, depending on the type. Examples of hyperplasia causes and risk factors include:
Hyperplasia doesn’t always cause symptoms. It’s often only discovered through abiopsyor other testing. If you do have symptoms, you may notice the following:
Hyperplasia is typically diagnosed through a series of tests that may require repeated follow-ups. The available diagnostic tests for endometrial, breast, and benign prostate hyperplasia are as follows:
Does Negative Hyperplasia Need to Be Treated?
If tests reveal that you don’t have cancer or precancerous cells, you may or may not need treatment. Here are the treatment options for benign hyperplasia:
Treatment Options for Positive Hyperplasia
If hyperplasia tests determine that you have cancer or precancerous cells, the available treatment options are as follows:
Repeat Hyperplasia Testing and Lifestyle Suggestions
Depending on your initial results and other risk factors, your healthcare provider may or may not recommend repeat hyperplasia testing to make sure that you don’t have cancer or another serious condition. This could happen every six months to a year.
In the meantime, there are steps you can take to reduce your overall risk of cancer. Examples include:
Hyperplasia, Anxiety, and Easier Ways to Cope
When you get (or are waiting for) a concerning diagnosis like hyperplasia, managing your anxiety can be difficult. Here are a few healthy ways to cope:
Summary
Hyperplasia refers to an abnormal increase in the number of cells in an otherwise healthy or “normal” part of the body. Common types include hyperplasia of the breast, endometrial hyperplasia, and benign prostate hyperplasia.
Sometimes, hyperplasia is a sign ofprecancerous cellchanges. It may increase your risk of certain types of cancer. However, hyperplasia doesn’t always indicate malignancy. It may or may not require treatment, depending on the type and other risk factors. If you’ve been diagnosed with hyperplasia, talk to your healthcare provider about your risk of cancer and other health complications.
12 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Hyperplasia.National Cancer Institute.Hyperplasia/dysplasia/cancer progression.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Prostate enlargement (benign prostate hyperplasia).American Cancer Society.Hyperplasia of the breast.The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Endometrial hyperplasia.Hartmann LC, Degnim AC, Santen RJ, et al.Atypical hyperplasia of the breast—risk assessment and management options.N Engl J Med. 2015;372(1):78-89. doi:10.1056/NEJMsr1407164Ma W, Jin ZN, Wang X, et al.Clinical practice guideline for diagnosis and treatment of hyperplasia of the mammary glands: Chinese Society of Breast Surgery (CSBrS) practice guideline 2021.Chin Med J (Engl). 2021;134(16):1891-1893. doi:10.1097/CM9.0000000000001521American Cancer Society.Tests for endometrial cancer.National Cancer Institute.Endometrial cancer treatment (PDQ)—patient version.American Cancer Society.Surgery for breast cancer.American Cancer Society.American Cancer Society guideline for diet and physical activity.National Health Service.Coping with a terminal illness.
12 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Hyperplasia.National Cancer Institute.Hyperplasia/dysplasia/cancer progression.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Prostate enlargement (benign prostate hyperplasia).American Cancer Society.Hyperplasia of the breast.The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Endometrial hyperplasia.Hartmann LC, Degnim AC, Santen RJ, et al.Atypical hyperplasia of the breast—risk assessment and management options.N Engl J Med. 2015;372(1):78-89. doi:10.1056/NEJMsr1407164Ma W, Jin ZN, Wang X, et al.Clinical practice guideline for diagnosis and treatment of hyperplasia of the mammary glands: Chinese Society of Breast Surgery (CSBrS) practice guideline 2021.Chin Med J (Engl). 2021;134(16):1891-1893. doi:10.1097/CM9.0000000000001521American Cancer Society.Tests for endometrial cancer.National Cancer Institute.Endometrial cancer treatment (PDQ)—patient version.American Cancer Society.Surgery for breast cancer.American Cancer Society.American Cancer Society guideline for diet and physical activity.National Health Service.Coping with a terminal illness.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.Hyperplasia.National Cancer Institute.Hyperplasia/dysplasia/cancer progression.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Prostate enlargement (benign prostate hyperplasia).American Cancer Society.Hyperplasia of the breast.The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Endometrial hyperplasia.Hartmann LC, Degnim AC, Santen RJ, et al.Atypical hyperplasia of the breast—risk assessment and management options.N Engl J Med. 2015;372(1):78-89. doi:10.1056/NEJMsr1407164Ma W, Jin ZN, Wang X, et al.Clinical practice guideline for diagnosis and treatment of hyperplasia of the mammary glands: Chinese Society of Breast Surgery (CSBrS) practice guideline 2021.Chin Med J (Engl). 2021;134(16):1891-1893. doi:10.1097/CM9.0000000000001521American Cancer Society.Tests for endometrial cancer.National Cancer Institute.Endometrial cancer treatment (PDQ)—patient version.American Cancer Society.Surgery for breast cancer.American Cancer Society.American Cancer Society guideline for diet and physical activity.National Health Service.Coping with a terminal illness.
MedlinePlus.Hyperplasia.
National Cancer Institute.Hyperplasia/dysplasia/cancer progression.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Prostate enlargement (benign prostate hyperplasia).
American Cancer Society.Hyperplasia of the breast.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Endometrial hyperplasia.
Hartmann LC, Degnim AC, Santen RJ, et al.Atypical hyperplasia of the breast—risk assessment and management options.N Engl J Med. 2015;372(1):78-89. doi:10.1056/NEJMsr1407164
Ma W, Jin ZN, Wang X, et al.Clinical practice guideline for diagnosis and treatment of hyperplasia of the mammary glands: Chinese Society of Breast Surgery (CSBrS) practice guideline 2021.Chin Med J (Engl). 2021;134(16):1891-1893. doi:10.1097/CM9.0000000000001521
American Cancer Society.Tests for endometrial cancer.
National Cancer Institute.Endometrial cancer treatment (PDQ)—patient version.
American Cancer Society.Surgery for breast cancer.
American Cancer Society.American Cancer Society guideline for diet and physical activity.
National Health Service.Coping with a terminal illness.
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